Hearts and Hands United in Giving (HHUG) is based on the concept of a Giving Circle which typically begins with a small network of friends who share a common interest in a social cause and a desire to make a positive impact in their community in support of that cause. Members are committed, both personally and financially, to making a direct impact on those in our communities who are underserved.

HHUG was a dream in November 2005 and over the past 10 years, has developed into a small, socially responsible, community-based non-profit organization. Our continuing vision fuels our growth and financial resources so that we might better support those who are underserved.

A realization of dreams and the anticipation of promising futures set the celebratory tone when faculty and staff members, family, donors and friends gathered May 4 for Cal State Fullerton's annual Guardian Scholars Recognition Reception to honor nine graduating seniors.

The Guardian Scholars Program awards former foster youth a full scholarship to the University and provides the additional support — including mentoring and counseling — needed to help them achieve their educational and personal goals and transition to self-sufficient adulthood.

Established at Cal State Fullerton in 1998, the collaborative partnership between public agencies and the private sector, was the first of its kind in the nation.

This year’s graduating scholars are:

• April Allton, B.S. human services

• Nicole Doherty, B.A. art-studio art

• Gary Gass, B.A. business administration

• Tamika Jones, B.A. criminal justice and psychology

• Stephanie Martin, B.S. child and adolescent development - early childhood development

• Hector Najar, B.A. public administration

• Erica Ontiveros, B.S. human services

• Angelica Quiroz, B.A. political science

• Daniel Smith-Bryant, B.A. psychology

“We could not be more thrilled as we celebrate the transformation and accomplishments of these students,” said Berenecea Johnson-Eanes, vice president for student affairs. ”These students are brilliant, resilient, determined and energetic as they balance their lives and thrive — no matter what! We are so, so very proud of you.”

The scholars also addressed the audience at the reception.

“Everyone thought I’d end up on drugs, in jail, or homeless,” said Tamika Jones. “Instead I am graduating from Cal State Fullerton. While a student here, I was able to study at the University of London for a semester. I also was trained to work as a behavioral therapist with children who have autism. Now my goal is to transition into law enforcement and serve as a probation officer.”

“When I was 15, I wasn’t thinking of college,” said Stephanie Martin. “I wanted to turn 16 so I could get out of my house. School was an escape for me. Being in Guardian Scholars taught me I could achieve anything as long as I was willing to do the work. They make me feel like this was a family.”

Erica Ontiveros will move on to a master’s program in social work at UCLA … on a full scholarship. “I couldn’t have made it to this point without Guardian Scholars,” Ontiveros said. “I didn’t believe in myself. But because people here believed in me, I found a chance to better my life. Now I want to do for others what was done for me.”

“We are here to celebrate these amazing students,” said President Mildred García. “They have overcome unprecedented obstacles. More than one-third of foster children have been abused, 65 percent are emancipated with no place to live, and only three percent go on to college, let alone graduate. Yet the graduation rate of our scholars is 70 percent, with an average GPA of 3.02.

"In addition, these students support others through a dozen outreach events each year. As these nine Guardian Scholars graduate and realize their dreams, we want you to know how proud we are of you … and we appreciate all the supporters who were there — family members, friends, donors, faculty and staff — all the people who helped ensure you would get here.”

- See more at: http://news.fullerton.edu/2016sp/Graduating-Presidents-Scholars.aspx#sthash.hW4N11pL.dpuf

Success with the Guardian Scholars Programs

California State University Fullerton

California State University Dominguez Hills

CSU DOMINGUEZ HILLS - GRADUATION FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016

GRADUATES WITH SPIRIT AND PROMISE

Dorothy Moore and Jane Martin, both Members of HHUG, had the pleasure of and so enjoyed being present for the Dominquez Hills Toro Graduation. The graduates were thrilled to have successfully made this long journey from entry, through difficulty and uncertainty to confident young men and women with a determination to keep moving up and forward. One gentleman began his Toro journey with newborn triplets, continued a full time job and stayed in college. Upon graduation, he was a graduating scholar, still working and had 4 kids!! The energy in the campus 1910 Cafe was electric and at moments filled with laughter, tears and memories shared by young people, good friends and all graduates. Uplifting.

Danielle Chambers, their previous Director of Student Support Services, Joshua Williams, their current Director, and Maite Zatala-Alday, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations were present to join in the fun, share some poignant thoughts about this journey and their future. Students stood in appreciation and gratitude. Danielle’s presence was especially touching and you could easily see how dedicated she is to the Program and how much of an impact she has on the students. Just a loving highlight of the afternoon and all the relationship-building and guidance that went before it.

HHUG was acknowledged for helping support the Program as was the Women's Philanthropic group which as has supported them long before HHUG entered the picture. It was very thoughtful for them to do so.

Dorothy and Jane were joyously uplifted. We wish every graduate a future filled with continued learning, confidence, life-enjoyment and every happiness.

A SUCCESSFUL FOUR YEARS AND COUNTING!

APPLEBEE’S FLAPJACK BREAKFAST HHUG FUNDRAISER

On Saturday, April 23rd, 2016, HHUG Members welcomed over 80 guests to our 4th Annual Applebee’s Fundraiser. This year we changed locations and enjoyed the morning at Applebee’s in the Lakewood Mall. Guests looked for old friends and met new friends as well. There was a lot of laughter, smiles and joking around!

Everyone enjoyed Applebee’s hot food, including flapjacks with butter and syrup, sausage, eggs, potatoes and beverages. HHUG Members once again became hostesses and servers. Three of our guests wanted to help and we welcomed them with open arms; they helped serve & clean up throughout the event. We are so grateful to Janessa Thomas, Shirley Creighton & Michelle Kennedy.

When friends buy tickets and cannot join us, they often donate those tickets which HHUG then offers to local schools that serve needy students and families. This year we were delighted to have five families join us, including elementary age children, their parents and siblings. We had coloring books and crayons which most of the kids seemed to like…a little diversion always is good.

The Raffle was fun and successful, with gifts such as indoor house dish plants, decorative pencils, jewelry, family picture frames and an Applebee’s Gift Card.

We want to say thank you to Applebee’s (Apple America Group) for their partnership with non-profit, community groups like HHUG. They ask us to sell 100 tickets at $10 apiece. Their contribution to HHUG is 50% and those dollars go to the programs and projects HHUG helps support.

ABOVE ALL, HHUG THANKS EVERYONE WHO DONATED TO THIS FUNDRAISER.

YOUR DONATIONS AND ONGOING SUPPORT HELP THE HOMELESS, THE NEEDY AND

THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

DONATIONS TO HHUG ALSO GO TO HELP FOSTER YOUTH IN TRANSITION TO COLLEGE

OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

Every November HHUG partners with MSC to provide warm clothing and food for those in our community living on the streets. HHUG sends out the call for help with this project and our supporters respond with caring hearts. The response from supporters in 2015 was amazing. We are grateful and humbled by your generosity. During the month of November, through donations from Friends of HHUG and from long-time supporters of our projects, combined with a grant from HHUG, we collected and purchased warm clothing, personal hygiene products, rain coats, blankets and easy access snack foods. On December 10, 2015 we delivered 55 boxes to MSC. Yes! 55 boxes!

Long Beach Multi-Service Center (MSC) "Annual Winter Project"

HHUG members wish to thank you for your continuing support of this project

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAM: “GIFT SHOE BOXES”

Since 2009, HHUG members and Friends of HHUG have supported residents living in homes through the Quality of Life (QOL) program of the San Gabriel Valley National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

This Holiday Season, we donated more than 45 gift boxes filled with personal hygiene products, books, socks, games, snacks, etc. for the men and women living in several Board and Care facilities. Looking back to our first year of providing support, we donated about 15 such boxes. Now, 45 residents are being served.

Beginning in 2015, in addition to the gifts, HHUG also now contributes a quarterly grant to QOL and these monies help buy movie tickets, Target gift cards, bowling passes, LA County Fair tickets, art supplies, and so much more.

Many of the recipients have no family. These gifts and activities bring joy and the reminder that they have not been forgotten.

We are honored to support this wonderful program, as it truly enhances the quality of life of these residents. To our friends and volunteers of HHUG, thank you for your continuing support which makes this possible. We recognize that our personal lives are also enhanced as we look for interesting and useful items, and fill and wrap the gift boxes, knowing that we are helping make the holidays a little brighter for these folks.

Should you wish to donate specifically to this program,

please contact Gladys Nagy at 310.538.1116 or gladtroll@aol.com.

If she is not available, please call

Jane Martin at 562.496.4659 or jemjoym@aol.com.

Community Involvement

Events - Projects - Programs - Partners

Community involvement is the heart and soul of our organization. Each project, partnership and grant recipient represents another way in which our efforts touch the lives of those who really are in need.

Join Us

HHUG WELCOMES YOU TO VISIT, FIND OUT MORE ABOUT US!!

We are always looking for new members. Our Mission and Vision Statements define our purpose and goals as a non-profit organization.

Integrity, diversity, respect, tolerance, self-reliance, humor, commitment, cooperation and enthusiasm are values shared by our members. HHUG is eager to welcome new members who wish to be a part of this effort.

Please contact us for more information: 562.496.4659

email address: hhug@earthlink.net

Mailing address:

HHUG, 2892 North Bellflower Blvd., Suite 357, Long Beach, CA 90815

How You Can Help

Hearts and Hands United in Giving (HHUG) is a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of those within our communities who are affected by homelessness and mental illness. Many situations involve families and children at risk.

With help from friends and donors like you, HHUG Members work with individuals and local organizations to raise funds, provide monetary grants, develop referrals, fill requests for those who “fall through the cracks” and act promptly to meet community needs.

YOU CAN HELP! HHUG is a Non-profit organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (ID# 45-3987303) and State of California (No. 3233508). When you do make a gift (money, time, goods, ideas), you WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

If you wish to make a contribution, you are welcome to:

DONATE MONEY: Please complete the form at the end of this page, make your check payable to “HHUG” and mail to the Post Office address shown. For your convenience, HHUG now offers a secure PayPal option for those who wish to use it.

DONATE ITEMS: Items such as travel-size personal hygiene products (shampoo, lotion, soap), gently used clean towels and wash cloths, new disposable razors and baby supplies, including infant and toddler diapers, are always welcome. Please contact our HHUG Office at 562.496.4659 to arrange for a drop-off or a pick-up. We use private, family cars to transport these items. If you have large items, please contact us first to see if any of our programs have a specific need for those items before arranging for transportation.

DONATE VIA SMILE.AMAZON: Smile.Amazon.com is a way to shop with Amazon and donate to your favorite charity at the same time. You simply go to Smile.Amazon.com, register and select your charity of choice from their drop down list of charities. Next step – Shop! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the prices of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charity of your choice. Of course, we hope your charity of choice will be Hearts and and Hands United in Giving, Long Beach, CA (HHUG). AmazonSmile is the same as Amazon – same products, same prices and same service. By shopping through AmazonSmile your purchases will translate to donations to HHUG. Now that really is a WIN-WIN situation.

DONATE TIME AND IDEAS:Please contact our HHUG Office at 562.496.4659 or send us an e-mail at hhug@earthlink.net.

Thank you for your concern, trust and investment for the well-being of the needy.

Become a “Friend of HHUG:”See "Friends of HHUG" below to learn more.

Become a Participating Member of HHUG:We are always looking for new members. Should you wish to visit a meeting, just let us know.

For more information about any of the above (including pick-up and drop-off arrangements for donated goods), please call HHUG at 562.496.4659.

Participating Members of HHUG

HHUG Members are committed to serving our communities, focusing on people whose needs often include help regarding homelessness, mental illness, a lack of basic necessities, health care, education and housing. Members contribute their time, energy and personal involvement with specific projects. The number of projects and programs being supported each year continues to grow and we are dedicated to raising funds to meet those needs.

Friends of HHUG

In support of HHUG’s Mission, our projects and activities, some volunteers have provided on-going donations of time, services, and/or financial support. To recognize these unique contributing volunteers, we created the "Friends of HHUG." Each of our “Friends” has gone out of his/her way to offer additional help, often investing his/her own personal time and money. We are indebted to these volunteers. If interested in becoming a “Friend of HHUG,” please contact HHUG at 562.496.4659.

Committees

About Us

HHUG was a dream in November 2005 and has developed into a small, socially responsible, community-based organization, with a continuing vision that fuels our growth and financial resources so that we might better support those who are underserved. HHUG is based on the concept of a Giving Circle, which often begins with a small network of friends who share a common interest in a social cause and a desire to make a positive impact in their community in support of that cause.